Media Release 20 Nov 2013

Environmental performance of New Zealand vehicle fleet needs more work

Motor Trade Association (MTA) says the recent release of a report into fuel and vehicle emissions standards by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is a timely reminder of the work still to be done to improve the environmental performance of New Zealand’s vehicle fleet.

This report, The Impact of Stringent Vehicle and Fuel Standards on Premature Mortality and Emissions, was commissioned by ICCT to provide a “global policy roadmap”, and highlights the need for regulators to consider both vehicle emissions as well as the quality of the fuel being used in those vehicles. It estimates global pollution from vehicles up to 2030 and premature mortality associated with exposure to direct emissions of fine particles from vehicles in urban areas.

A separate report prepared on behalf of New Zealand’s government (Updated Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand Study) was issued in March of last year, and estimated air pollution from motor vehicles was responsible for approximately 260 premature deaths per year in New Zealand.

New Zealand has made good progress towards reducing the incidence and effects of vehicle emissions in recent years. “There is still much that can be done to improve outcomes. While mainstream automotive fuels in New Zealand meet world industry standards in terms of the levels of sulphur content they contain, the lack of a mandatory in-service emissions testing programme leaves a large gap in our approach to improving air quality,” MTA spokesperson Dougal Morrison says.

All new vehicles entering New Zealand are required to be manufactured to an approved emissions standard. Used imported vehicles also face an emissions test at the time they first enter the country, and since 2006, all vehicles are required by the Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule to pass a visible smoke test as part of obtaining a warrant of fitness or certificate of compliance.

Once vehicles have entered the fleet however, no further tests for tailpipe emissions are required aside from the visible smoke test. This is in direct contrast to most developed economies, where regular tailpipe emissions testing occurs. As a result of this hands-off approach, there are currently close to 1.8 million vehicles on New Zealand’s roads that have had no form of an emissions check for at least five years, with some having never had any check at all.

The highest polluters tend to be larger diesel trucks and buses, although for all vehicle types, emission levels are likely to increase as the vehicle gets older and components become worn. “New Zealand’s vehicle fleet is continuing to grow in size, and at the same time it’s aging, meaning the problem is only likely to increase if nothing is done,” says Morrison.

In its Safer Journeys programme for 2013–2015, the government has indicated it is considering tailpipe emissions testing as part of its wider aim of improving the safety of existing vehicles in the fleet.

The ICCT study reinforces the need for the government to develop its programme for vehicle emissions testing for the earliest possible introduction.

With lives to be saved and the quality of life to be improved for many New Zealanders, this is one issue where the public simply cannot hold their breath and wait.

Both reports can be accessed from the links below:

http://www.theicct.org/global-health-roadmap

http://www.hapinz.org.nz/HAPINZ%20Update_Vol%201%20Summary%20Report.pdf

ENDS

© Scoop Media